BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Junior swimmer Claire Donahue has qualified to represent Western Kentucky University in the 2010 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Lafayette, Ind., the NCAA announced Wednesday. Donahue, who was named the 2010 Sun Belt Conference Swimmer of the Year in February will compete in the 100 and 200 Butterfly during the three day event on March 18-20.
"We are excited for Claire to represent Western Kentucky University and the Sun Belt Conference at the 2010 National Championships," head coach Bruce Marchionda said. "Claire enters the meet with the fourth fastest time in the country in the 100 Fly. We are hoping to build upon that momentum that she created at the conference championships this year breaking two Sun Belt Conference records in the butterfly events."
Donahue claimed first place at the Sun Belt Conference Championships in two events last month winning the 100 Fly with a school record time of 51.95 and the 200 Fly with a time of 1:56.93. In the 100 Fly, she is qualified in fourth place behind first place qualifier Elaine Breeden from Stanford who posted a time of 51.24. She is one of 51 athletes who will compete for the title in the event. In the 200 Fly, she qualified in the 22nd spot.
Last year at the NCAA Championships, she placed 23rd in the 100 Fly after posting a time of 52.76. In the 200 Fly, she finished 19th after touching the wall with a time of 1:56.41.
"Through her hard work and dedication not only in the pool but in the weight room, Claire has put herself in a position to make some noise at the national level," Marchionda said.
Donahue will be joined by Marchionda and assistant coach Margarita Kalmikova at the championships.
